Review Update HP ProBook 470 G1 E9Y75EA Notebook
For the original German review, see here.
Affordable 17.3-inch laptops for professional use are by far not as common as 15.6-inch models. But they do exist. HP covers this sector with its various Probook 47XX lines. We tested one member of the brand new ProBook 470 series, in the form of the ProBook 470 G0 H6P56EA (Core i7-3632QM, Radeon HD 8750M). The laptop proved to be a solid work device that could score with good input devices and user-friendly maintenance options. Its price range is also attractive for private users. We now have our hands on a first device featuring a Haswell processor with HP's ProBook 470 G1 E9Y75EA. Read whether it can keep up with the good impression of its precursor in our test report.
We used the Lenovo G710 (Core i7-4702MQ, GeForce GT 720M), and the Toshiba Satellite L70-A-10T (Core i7-4700MQ, GeForce GT 740M) to classify the laptop.
We will not look closer at the casing, connectivity, input devices or speakers because both ProBooks are identical in build. The corresponding information can be found in the review of the ProBook 470 G0.
Display
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Brightness Distribution: 86 %
Center on Battery: 269 cd/m²
Contrast: 464:1 (Black: 0.58 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 7.49 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.92
ΔE Greyscale 9.3 | 0.5-98 Ø5.2
47.6% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
52.4% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
72.5% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
50.6% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.61
The screen's contrast of 464:1 and black level of 0.58 cd/m² are not exceptional, but they are nevertheless good. The screen in the ProBook 470 G0 (272:1, 0.87 cd/m²) offers much poorer rates. The rates of the Satellite's display (587:1, 0.54 cd/m²) are only marginally better than those of the ProBook. The screen of the G710 (1178:1, 0.23 cd/m²) achieves outstanding rates. The ProBook's screen cannot reproduce either the sRGB or AdobeRGB color spaces. These are, for example, interesting in professional image editing. sRGB is covered by 63.7% and AdobeRGB by 47.6%.
The screen's average DeltaE 2000 shift is just under 7.5 in its factory settings. Thus, the screen scores better than most of the displays we have tested. However, no color achieves the target range (DeltaE smaller than 3). The screen also exhibits a bluish cast.
Outdoor use is throughout possible owing to the screen's matte surface alongside its sufficiently high brightness.
The ProBook 470 G1's screen provides somewhat better rates than its ProBook 470 G0 counterpart. However, they are on par in viewing angle stability. Changing the vertical viewing angle to the screen quickly leads to image distortions. It is better horizontally, and even several people can look at the screen simultaneously.
Performance
HP's ProBook 470 is a 17.3-inch office laptop that is aimed at both professional and private users. A high-performance processor ensures enough computing power for routine tasks, and the installed Radeon graphics core also makes the laptop appealing for users who want to occasionally play an up-to-date computer game. Our review sample's current price is approximately 700 Euros (~$959). There are also other configurations available. The differences are found in the installed processor, working memory capacity, hard drive capacity, and graphics chip.
Processor
The ProBook sports a Core i5-4200M processor from Intel. The dual-core CPU is based on the latest Haswell architecture. It clocks with a base speed of 2.5 GHz, and can reach up to 3 GHz (both cores) or 3.1 GHz (one core only) via Turbo. Intel specifies a TDP of 37 watts for this CPU.
The Core i5 always processed the Cinebench CPU tests with full speed (3 GHz) in AC mode. Naturally, the scores of both the Satellite (Core i7-4700MQ, GeForce GT 740M) and the G710 (Core i7-4702MQ, GeForce GT 720M) are better than the ProBook's. Both laptops feature a Core i7 quad-core processor. Nevertheless, the ProBook comes very close to its contenders in single-thread applications because they cannot max out their two additional processor cores.
System Performance
The system ran smoothly, and we did not experience any problems. The scores of the PCMark benchmarks were also good. However, the ProBook does not reach the scores of the G710 (Core i7-4702MQ, GeForce GT 720M) or the Satellite (Core i7-4700MQ, GeForce GT 740M). These laptops benefit from their quad-core processors.
| PCMark 7 Score | 2689 points | |
| PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 3562 points | |
| PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 3669 points | |
| PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 4400 points | |
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Storage Devices
The ProBook sports a hard drive from Seagate's Momentus Thin line. It has a capacity of 500 GB, and spins with 5400 revolutions per minute. CrystalDiskMark recorded a read speed of 98.31 MB/s and HD Tune delivered an average transfer rate of 76.6 MB/s. The rates are acceptable for a 5400 rpm hard drive, but could be a touch better. We would have expected a swifter hard drive in a laptop aimed at professional users. For example, a 7200 rpm hard drive or even a hybrid hard drive (hard drive with integrated SSD cache) would have been the better choice.
Graphics Card
Both Intel's HD Graphics 4600 graphics core and AMD's Radeon HD 8750M GPU are responsible for video output. They operate in an Enduro array (AMD's counterpart to Nvidia's Optimus technology). The Radeon's core is used for applications with high performance requirements, such as computer games. Intel's GPU takes care of routine use and battery mode. The user can change the pre-settings in the driver menu any time. The Radeon GPU belongs to the mid-range, supports DirectX 11.1, and clocks with a base speed of 775 MHz. Its speed can be increased to 825 MHz via Turbo.
The 3DMark benchmark scores of both the ProBook and Satellite (Core i7-4700MQ, GeForce GT 740M) are very close. The performance of the installed graphics cores are on par. The Satellite always takes a slight lead when the CPU performance has a strong impact on the test result. Consequently, the ProBook 470 G0 also scores a bit better. The G710 (Core i7-4702MQ, GeForce GT 720M) sports the weakest graphics core, and cannot compete with the contenders.
The common Windows screen resolutions, such as 1366x768 or 1280x720 pixels, were not available on our review sample in state of delivery. However, they can be added quite easily. Intel's driver supplies the CustomModeApp tool that can be found in the System32 folder in the Windows directory.
| 3DMark 06 Standard Score | 8925 points | |
| 3DMark Vantage P Result | 7147 points | |
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 1873 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 54656 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 5930 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Score | 1186 points | |
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| HP ProBook 470 G1 E9Y75EA Radeon HD 8750M, 4200M, Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545050A7E380 | Lenovo G710 59397112 GeForce GT 720M, 4702MQ, Seagate Momentus SpinPoint M8 ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB | Toshiba Satellite L70-A-10T GeForce GT 740M, 4700MQ, HGST Travelstar 5K1000 HTS541075A9E680 | HP ProBook 470 G0-H6P56EA Radeon HD 8750M, 3632QM, HGST Travelstar 5K1000 HTS541075A9E680 | Acer Aspire V3-772G-747A321 GeForce GTX 760M, 4702MQ, Toshiba HG5d THNSNH256GMCT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3DMark | -16% | 1% | 14% | 66% | |
| 1280x720 Ice Storm Standard Score | 54656 | 50811 -7% | 52421 -4% | 58505 7% | 79494 45% |
| 1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Score | 5930 | 5443 -8% | 6951 17% | 7521 27% | 11171 88% |
| 1920x1080 Fire Strike Score | 1186 | 779 -34% | 1076 -9% | 1281 8% | 1971 66% |
Gaming Performance
The Core i5 processor alongside the Radeon's graphics core ensure that current 3D games can be played smoothly using the HD resolution (1366x768 pixels), and medium to sometimes high quality settings. Undemanding games, such as FIFA 14, allow an even higher resolution or a higher quality level.
It will be a difficult undertaking to find a correspondingly strong alternative in the affordable business sector should the gaming power not suffice for personal needs. Such devices are first found in a price range far over 1000 Euros (~$1370, e.g. in HP's EliteBook line). However, there are many alternatives available in the consumer range. Though the price of Acer's Aspire V3-772G (Core i7-4702MQ, GeForce GTX 760M) that we tested was also far beyond 1000 Euros (~$1370), there are less expensive versions available. The Aspire V3-772G-54204G50Makk with a Core i5-4200M processor is available for approximately 700 Euros (~$959). A Windows operating system is not included.
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anno 2070 (2011) | 126.5 | 54.1 | 32.1 | |
| Tomb Raider (2013) | 94 | 45.9 | 30.8 | |
| GRID 2 (2013) | 86.8 | 57.4 | 50.7 | |
| Splinter Cell: Blacklist (2013) | 49.9 | 21.5 | ||
| Batman: Arkham Origins (2013) | 70 | 43 | 27 | |
| Battlefield 4 (2013) | 49.6 | 37.9 | 28 | |
| Need for Speed: Rivals (2013) | 30 | 28.8 | 23.7 | |
| X-Plane 10.25 (2013) | 63.5 | 30.4 | 13.1 |
| HP ProBook 470 G1 E9Y75EA Radeon HD 8750M, 4200M, Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 HTS545050A7E380 | Lenovo G710 59397112 GeForce GT 720M, 4702MQ, Seagate Momentus SpinPoint M8 ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB | Toshiba Satellite L70-A-10T GeForce GT 740M, 4700MQ, HGST Travelstar 5K1000 HTS541075A9E680 | HP ProBook 470 G0-H6P56EA Radeon HD 8750M, 3632QM, HGST Travelstar 5K1000 HTS541075A9E680 | Acer Aspire V3-772G-747A321 GeForce GTX 760M, 4702MQ, Toshiba HG5d THNSNH256GMCT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider | -31% | -15% | 114% | ||
| 1366x768 Normal Preset AA:FX AF:4x | 45.9 | 34.5 -25% | 43.8 -5% | 99 116% | |
| 1366x768 High Preset AA:FX AF:8x | 30.8 | 19.4 -37% | 23.3 -24% | 65 111% | |
| Anno 2070 | -11% | 8% | 31% | ||
| 1366x768 Medium Preset AA:on | 54.1 | 46.8 -13% | 58.5 8% | 59 9% | |
| 1366x768 High Preset AA:on AF:2x | 32.1 | 29.6 -8% | 34.6 8% | 49 53% | |
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | -31% /
-31% | -13% /
-13% | 8% /
8% | 73% /
72% |
Emissions
System Noise
On the whole, the ProBook barely produces noise in routine use. Only a quiet, consistent noise is heard from the fan most of the time. The fan only runs with full speed during full load. The hard drive is clearly audible when accessed. It looks the same in both the G710 and Satellite, and they do not produce as much noise only during full load. The reason for this is that their processor speeds are recurrently throttled strongly.
Noise Level
| Idle |
| 31.2 / 31.3 / 35.2 dB(A) |
| HDD |
| 35.6 dB(A) |
| DVD |
| 35.6 / dB(A) |
| Load |
| 35.2 / 42.1 dB(A) |
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30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
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min:  , med:  , max:  Voltcraft sl-320 (15 cm distance) | ||
Temperature
The temperatures of the three comparison laptops barely increased during idle mode. The rates at all measuring points remained below 30 °C. The ProBook surpassed 40 °C at three measuring points in the fan's area during load. The Satellite has the lowest overall temperature increase. However, we should not forget that the CPU's speed is recurrently throttled for a short period.
The CPU performed the stress test (Prime95 and Furmark run for at least one hour) with 3 GHz in AC mode. The GPU clocked with 775 MHz and was recurrently boosted to 825 MHz. The processor clocked with 2.5 GHz, and the graphics core worked with 400 MHz when the stress test was performed in battery mode. The CPU's temperature settled to approximately 75 °C in the stress test (AC mode).
Both the CPU and GPU always clocked with a maximum of 2.5 GHz and 400 MHz in battery mode. Thus, the Cinebench scores (Cinebench R11.5 - single: 1.1; multi: 2.67; GL: 21.98 fps) were lower than in AC mode.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 36.6 °C / 98 F, compared to the average of 36.9 °C / 98 F, ranging from 21.1 to 71 °C for the class Multimedia.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 48.1 °C / 119 F, compared to the average of 39.2 °C / 103 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 25.9 °C / 79 F, compared to the device average of 31.3 °C / 88 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are reaching skin temperature as a maximum (35 °C / 95 F) and are therefore not hot.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.8 °C / 83.8 F (-6.2 °C / -11.2 F).
Energy Management
Power Consumption
The ProBook is satisfied with an idle power consumption ranging from 7.2 to 11.9 watts. These rates are very acceptable for a high-performance, 17.3-inch laptop. The G710 is a bit more energy-efficient (6.5 to 10.5 watts), and the Satellite requires more power (5.5 to 15 watts). The ProBook's power consumption climbed to 40.7 watts during medium load via 3DMark06 and to 60.7 watts during full load in the stress test via Prime95 and Furmark. The G710 has a higher power requirement because it sports a quad-core processor. The same is true for the Satellite, but its power consumption is much lower than that of its contenders because the Satellite cannot use its Turbo permanently or to its full extent.
| Off / Standby | 0.1 / 0.1 Watt |
| Idle | 7.2 / 10.9 / 11.9 Watt |
| Load |
40.7 / 60.7 Watt |
   
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Key:
min: ,
med: ,
max: Voltcraft VC 940 | |
Battery Runtime
The ProBook's battery lasted for 8:31 h in idle mode. The Satellite (8:02 h) and the G710 (7:39 h) are both drained sooner. Idle mode is simulated using Battery Eater's Reader's test. The screen is set to minimum brightness, the energy-savings profile is enabled, and the wireless modules are off. The ProBook shut down after 1:09 h of load. While the G710 (1:07 h) is on par, the Satellite (0:43 h) has to give up much earlier. The load runtime is ascertained via Battery Eater's Classic test. Here, the screen's brightness is set to maximum, and the high-performance profile and the wireless modules are enabled.
The Wi-Fi test ran for 4:27 h on the ProBook. Thus, it lasts much longer than both the G710 (3:30 h) and the Satellite (3:30 h). Websites are opened automatically every 40 seconds, the energy-savings profile is enabled, and the screen's brightness is set to approx. 150 cd/m² in this test. The ProBook played DVDs for 3:17 h, and can again outperform both the Satellite (2:29 h) and G710 (2:38 h). The DVD test is performed using the energy-savings profile (or a higher profile should the DVD not run smoothly), maximum screen brightness, and disabled wireless modules.
The runtimes of the three laptops can be compared well because their batteries all have a similar capacity (HP: 47 Wh; Lenovo and Toshiba: 48 Wh). Overall, the ProBook can boast with good battery runtimes. The Haswell processor pays off seeing that the runtimes have clearly improved compared with the Ivy Bridge ProBook that we tested.
Verdict
"An affordable entry in the professional sector is exactly what HP's ProBook 470 G0 wants to be, and it thus omits the very final touch in terms of equipment and quality" - was our verdict about HP's ProBook 470 G0. This statement is also true for the ProBook 470 G1. The ProBook can offer decent application and 3D performance. The laptop usually operates quietly despite its high-performance components. It also benefits from the Haswell processor, and achieves better runtimes than the Ivy Bridge model that we tested. The ProBook's screen provides overall slightly better rates than the model in the ProBook 470 G0, but it does not belong to the premium range. A bright, high-contrast IPS screen would have been desirable here - at least as an option. The one-year warranty is also too little considering the laptop's purchase price.
Toshiba's Satellite L70-A-10T would come into question when a bright, Full HD screen is wanted. Lenovo's G710 offers a lot of computing power for a relatively low price. The laptop is available for 600 Euros (~$822) with a Core i5-4200M processor and Windows 8.
